Staged Stories: Mining the Tales of Childhoods Long Ago

What if there were a Moth storytelling hour for the over-55 crowd? It probably wouldn’t have any stories about hooking up online or graduating college with six-figure loan debt. Instead, it might provide snapshots of postwar life in a thriving Bronx or the orange groves of old Los Angeles.

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has such a program. Mixed into its schedule of plays, concerts and special events is Staged Stories, a 10-week writing class for “older adults,” who are described in the program notes as “some of the wisest and most seasoned members of our community.”

Staged Stories is run by Debra Pasquerette, Manager of Community Engagement at the Wallis. In 2019, she obtained a grant from The National Guild for Community Arts Education, one of only 10 awarded nationally. She wrote the program’s curriculum and teaches a dozen different storytellers each session. She works individually with all participants to polish their stories into Moth-length gems that they perform at the end of their course.

“I’ve always been interested in working with older adults and helping them find and share their stories,” Pasquerette says. “These are stories that need to be heard, from people who may always have wanted to share them but didn’t know how.”

Pasquerette serves as den mother, confidant, editor and acting coach, helping writers give raw memories beginnings, middles and ends, focus on important details and face their public speaking fears. In many cases, writers tell stories they’ve never told before and balk at telling publicly; a box of tissues sits at the ready in the classroom.

Pasquerette relates, “We started the program in August of 2019 and were afraid no one would sign up for the course. The first class sold out in two days and we decided to add another session, which then sold out as well.” The two sessions currently in progress culminate next week and were scheduled to have performances at the Wallis which have been now been postponed due to COVID-19 (see below for details).

The program is also designed to launch friendships. Pasquerette notes, “Many older adults are searching for a community and I’ve found that sharing creative work is a wonderful space for people to meet and get to know one another. The first session bonded so strongly that they still meet once a month to share writing.

“What I enjoy most is the students and never knowing what incredible stories will come out of a group when I first meet them. I feel honored that I get to stand in front of them and help guide them in their creative journey,” Pasquerette adds. “I think I’m as excited about a new class starting as they are! I also love the performances and seeing all the students soar as they share their stories.”

Performances of Staged Stories were postponed due to the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. They will take place in the Lovelace Studio Theater at the Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills. When they are rescheduled, this article will be updated. For more information or to apply for the next session, email [email protected]. The author is in a current session of Staged Stories.